Shifting my weight, I angle my hips and take an eager breath. “What took you so long?” I put our agreement out of my mind a long time ago, so even though I don’t remember the exact date we saw each other last, he’s right on time.

He opens the passenger door for me, and replies, “I took the scenic route.”

44

Harbor

Years earlier, I told Lark we needed a redo. Our meeting wasn’t one made of the stuff that filled the romance movies and books she loved. But I fucked up that redo back in New Haven. Twice.

This time, I’m not taking any chances. I won’t fuck it up again. Too much time without her has passed. Every moment matters, so I’m not holding back anymore. If I’ve learned anything, it’s that secrets are only meant to hold you back and make you despise the very thing you were protecting.

I reach the edge of the city and keep driving over the George Washington Bridge into New Jersey. Lark hasn’t said a word since she got in the vehicle. I haven’t felt the need to fill in the silence. I’m content with the trust she’s given me that allows her to go wherever I choose.

It’s tempting to reach over and hold her hand like we used to. I tighten my fingers around the steering wheel and try to keep my eyes forward. It’s easier to face the future than stare at my past, wondering if we’ll ever get back to where we once were in each other’s lives.

There’s no winning that battle. Lark has always been the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on, so I steal a peek. The last light of the day shines through the windshield. It’s bright, but she doesn’t bother to shield her eyes. She embraces the light instead. Leaning forward, she closes her eyes and soaks in the rays.

I could stare at her for hours and find new captivations on every inch of her skin, but I drag my attention back to the road ahead, needing to stay focused on driving instead of the mesmerizing woman beside me.

Lark’s features are more defined than when she was back in college. Her nose is a little sharper like her chin. Her skin is smooth, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen a blemish on her. If there ever was a flaw, I never noticed. She used to wear her hair up most days. Now it’s longer than it ever has been, shiny in the sunshine, and a thousand shades blending from blond to darker than my brown.

She looks incredible in that dress. It shows off the curves I used to spend nights traversing with my tongue. I thought I had better control of my cravings for her, but being inside the car with the rest of the world trapped outside, her sweet, floral scent wraps around me like a scarf. Her being this close to me again has unintended consequences that are out of my control.